Two Sarasota Crashes Caused by Drivers Under the Influence

In the last several weeks there have been a few DUI crashes in Sarasota. In the most recent crash involving a DUI driver, the Florida Highway Patrol cited a Sarasota driver for driving under the influence causing injuries. This crash occurred on September 21, 2013, a Saturday afternoon, at the intersection of Fruitville Road and Paramount Drive.

According to police, Robert C. Thomas, 54, was traveling westbound on Fruitville Road when he turned left into the pathway of an approaching driver. Michael S. Rosato, 56, of Venice, was traveling eastbound in a 1998 Toyota Camry when Thomas attempted a left-hand turn in front of his vehicle. Rosato’s Camry collided with Thomas’ 1999 Chevrolet Astro, causing the Astro to overturn.

Thomas suffered minor injuries in this Sarasota crash. Additionally, Rosato, his two passengers, and Thomas’ passenger were taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for medical care of their minor injuries.

Prior to this DUI-related crash, a drunk driver crashed into a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office patrol car and attempted to leave the scene. John Tauber, 26, rear-ended Deputy Todd Mitchell’s police car and tried to drive away, but he was caught and arrested.

According to the police report, Tauber smelled of alcohol and nearly fell over into traffic. Although Tauber claimed he hadn’t been drinking, his breath test results were a .353 and .365, four times the legal alcohol limit of .08. He has been charged with DUI with property damage and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. According to the report, Mitchell was not injured in the wreck.

Our Sarasota accident attorneys at the Mallard Law Firm would like to wish all those injured in these Sarasota crashes full and fast recoveries. We also want to remind drivers to never drive buzzed or drunk.